Between Eastwood and Moorgreen, Nottinghamshire, just off the B600 on Engine Lane.
Colliers Wood Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
5.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.3Meadows, developing woodland and a large pond now occupy the former site of Moorgreen Colliery. Short circular trails pass the reserve’s different habitats, with birds, butterflies and seasonal wildflowers to watch for along the way.
A reclaimed colliery landscape with a pond, meadows and woodland gives this compact reserve more variety than a simple woodland stroll. Its two short, level circular trails make it possible to explore the habitats at an unhurried pace.
Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapBetween Eastwood and Moorgreen, Nottinghamshire, just off the B600 on Engine Lane.
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose between two short circular walks: the 0.6-mile Walker Trail passes the pond and dipping platform, meadows and woodland; the 1-mile Barber Trail follows woodland, hedgerows and meadows before returning to the pond.
Things to do
Walk the Walker Trail
Follow the 0.6-mile circular trail to the pond and dipping platform, then continue through the meadows and past the woodland. The council says the route can be shortened using a path across a meadow.
Around 20–40 minutes
Follow the Barber Trail
Take the 1-mile circular walk alongside woodland, hedgerows and meadows, with views over neighbouring fields. The route returns to the main pond via the avenue of lime trees on Engine Lane.
Around 30–45 minutes
Watch and listen for seasonal wildlife
In spring, listen for willow warblers and chiffchaffs, and look for house martins by the pond or skylarks over the meadows. Summer may bring butterflies and common darter dragonflies; goldfinches feed here in autumn.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 30–45 minutes
Quick pond-and-meadow loop
- 01
Follow the 0.6-mile Walker Trail circular route.
- 02
Pause by the pond and dipping platform.
- 03
Continue through the meadows and past the woodland before returning.
Half day · Around 1–2 hours
Explore both reserve trails
- 01
Walk the 0.6-mile Walker Trail, taking in the pond, dipping platform, meadow and woodland.
- 02
Then follow the 1-mile Barber Trail alongside woodland, hedgerows and meadows.
- 03
Look for the avenue of lime trees on Engine Lane and watch for seasonal bird and butterfly activity.
Verified history
Colliers Wood was formerly the site of Moorgreen Colliery. The Friends of Colliers Wood says the site was restored over decades into a mosaic of grassland, scrub and developing woodland.
Hidden details
The Engine Lane lime avenue — On the Barber Trail, look for the avenue of lime trees along Engine Lane as the route returns towards the main pond.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources. The reserve is listed as open from dawn to dusk.
The council identifies spring bird activity, summer butterflies and dragonflies, and autumn goldfinches. The Friends of Colliers Wood also notes orchids and butterflies in summer.
Check current conditions before setting out; no specific weather guidance is provided in the supplied sources.
The route
- ascent
- Level routes; no ascent stated.
- surface
- Path surfaces are generally in good condition, according to Broxtowe Borough Council.
- distance
- Two council-listed circular routes: Walker Trail, 0.6 miles; Barber Trail, 1 mile.
- duration
- Not specified by the source; allow roughly 20–45 minutes per route, depending on pace and stops.
- difficulty
- Easy; both trails are described as level.
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- The council’s trail descriptions refer to the car park and main pond; confirm the current trail map before setting off.
- parking start
- The council lists parking nearby; the Friends of Colliers Wood lists a free visitors’ car park on site.
- shorter alternative
- The 0.6-mile Walker Trail is the shorter circular option. The council also describes a way to shorten it by taking a path across a meadow.
- Pond and dipping platform
- Meadows, hedgerows and woodland
- Views over neighbouring fields on the Barber Trail
- Avenue of lime trees on Engine Lane
What to look for
- 01
Look for the pond and dipping platform, the avenue of lime trees along Engine Lane, and the contrast between meadow, hedgerow and developing woodland. In spring, listen for willow warblers and chiffchaffs
- 02
in summer, look for butterflies and common darter dragonflies.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Spring and summer for seasonal bird, butterfly and wildflower interest; autumn for goldfinches feeding in the reserve.
Spring is a good time to listen for willow warblers and chiffchaffs, and to look for house martins by the pond or skylarks over the meadows. In summer, watch for butterflies and common darter dragonflies; autumn brings goldfinches feeding in the reserve.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Practical information
Opening & access
The reserve is open daily from dawn to dusk and free to enter. The Friends of Colliers Wood website lists a free visitors’ car park on site. Check current access and conditions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The Friends of Colliers Wood lists a free visitors’ car park on site. The council also describes parking as available nearby.
Toilets
The source row reports toilets at a nearby visitor centre; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are welcome. The Friends of Colliers Wood asks visitors to keep them on leads during the nesting season, March to July.
Accessibility
Broxtowe Borough Council describes the Barber Trail (1 mile) and Walker Trail (0.6 miles) as level and wheelchair-friendly, with generally good path surfaces. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Pond
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Colliers Wood Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
